Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

A/N: Oh my gosh! School starts tomorrow! I'm both excited and dreading that tomorrow school starts.

Many thanks to my readers and reviewers: Denidene, Shadow Pain, SukiAmaya, and Rukia Martinez.

'thinking'

"talking"

The whole entire day Toshiro was wary. Rukia hasn't bothered him or talked to him since he told her to leave him alone, except in Chemistry class but that's unavoidable. They are partners. Yeah, Toshiro did tell her to leave him alone but he didn't believe she would. Rukia wouldn't leave him alone even if she got paid! Maybe she fin-

"HITSUGAYA-KUN!"

Toshiro tripped over the soccer ball and cursed when he hit the floor. The other soccer players stopped practicing and looked at Toshiro and the (brave) person (girl) who dared to yell his name. Toshiro got up and he inwardly groaned. He knew it was too good to be true. Rukia was standing across the soccer field, waving her arms like a maniac. Everyone who was at or near the soccer field looked at Toshiro, waiting for his reaction. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT, KUCHIKI?"

Some of the soccer players let out "oohs". Rukia ran to Toshiro. "Uhuhuhuhuhuh I lost our Chemistry homework!" Rukia said quietly.

Toshiro groaned. "How did you lose it?" Toshiro has never met anyone who he's wanted to strangle soo badly.

"Iflusheditdownthetoliet." Rukia said so quickly that Toshiro or the people listening to their conversation didn't understand.

"What?" asked Toshiro.

"I flushed it down the toiliet." Rukia said much slower.

1...2...3 Everyone who heard Rukia, burst out laughing. "You are the dumbest person I have ever met." Toshiro said as he grabbed Rukia's arm and dragged her off the soccer field.

"Toshiro. Where are you taking me?" Rukia asked as she poked him on the head... repeatedly.

'How the hell do people stand her?' Evertime she poked him, his eye twitched. "Stop poking me! Now, you're going to do our chemistry." Toshiro said as he stopped in front of Rukia's locker.

Rukia looked at him as if he grew another head. "But I suck at Chemistry. Remember the reason why we're partners?"

Toshiro blinked. Then he groaned. How could he forget that Rukia sucks at Chemistry? "Fine. I'll do it again." Then he left Rukia standing at her locker alone and went home. When Toshiro got home, he hit his head on the wall. "Why must she torture me?" he said to himself.

"Shiro? Did you bring her over again?" asked Granny as she walked to Toshiro's room.

"No. I didn't bring her last time, she invited herself over." He said taking out his Chemistry book. Might as well get started.

"Oh. She seems like a nice lady. You should become friends with her." said Granny as she walked out of Toshiro's room. Toshiro was shocked at what his grandma said but shrugged it off.

"Fluffy! Guess what?" Rukia asked him as she sat down next to Toshiro in Chemistry class the next day.

"Don't call me Fluffy!" snapped Toshiro with a glare.

Rukia ignored his glare. "It turned out I didn't flush down our homework." Rukia said as she took out their Chemsitry homework.

Toshiro groaned. "You are an idiot! You made me do it all over again."

Rukia pouted. "Sorry. I really thought I did flush it... Toshiro?"

"What?"

"Can I eat lunch with you again?" Rukia asked.

Toshiro was surprised when Rukia asked him. "Uh, sure." Maybe I will try and be friends with her. When Chemsitry class ended and it was time for lunch, Rukia and Toshiro met at the tree where they ate yesterday. They sat next to each other, leaning on the tree.

"Ne, Toshiro?"

"Hmm?"

"Why-"

"Kuchiki!" Rukia and Toshiro looked towards who ever called Rukia's name. It was ukitake-sensei and he was with Byakuya.

Rukia stood up and went to them. "Yes?" Rukia asked politely.

"Kaien's in the hospital." Byakuya informed Rukia.

Rukia's eyes widen and tears formed in her eyes, threatning to fall. "W-what?" Rukia choked out.

"He was shot. Do you want to go?" asked Byakuya softly. Rukia nodded. Rukia ran to their limo and Byakuya followed her but walking. Toshiro, in the other hand, was wondering what was wrong.

Rukia and Byakuya got to the hospital and asked for Shiba Kaien. They were told that he was in room 112 in the third floor. They got in an elevator and went to his room. There was a doctor standing in front of his door talking with a women who is known as Shiba Kukkaku, sister of Kaien. "What's wrong?" asked Byakuya.

The doctor looked at Byakuya and Rukia and shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry but Shiba Kaien passed away." Rukia couldn't stop the tears from falling and she cried. Kukkaku, knowing Rukia, walked up to her and hugged her. They stood there crying, crying for the one they both loved dearly.

After they both stopped crying, Kukkaku spoke. "You're always welcomed at our house."

Rukia nodded. "Thank you, Kukkaku-san." Kukkaku gave Rukia one last hug and left.

"Come on, Rukia. Let's go." Byakuya said softly to Rukia. Byakuya and Rukia left the hospital.

A/N: I didn't want to make Kaien die, but him dying has a connection to Toshiro's past. Review please!